Nylon fasteners for heat pump grill?

[wgd]

This is a very minor issue, but this group gives such great advice I thought I'd ask anyway.

The metal nuts and washers securing the grill on the outside unit of my heat pump rust over time. Not a big a deal. I just replace them.

However, I was wondering if I could use nylon washers and nuts instead. They wouldn't rust and they might help to dampen vibrations from the grill. Right now there is a metal flat washer, a lock washer, and a nut. I didn't see any nylon lock washers so I'd be using a nylon flat washer, a metal lock washer, and a nylon nut,

Here's a picture of the outdoor unit and the nylon washers and nuts.

In general, are nylon fasteners just as good (or better?) than metal for outdoor applications subject to weather?

[charlie]

they will break down from the uv.

use stainless steel ones.

[JoeSpareBedroom]

I second the stainless steel opinion. They hold up fine on boats. They'll work in your situation.

[dpb]

The white/natural nylons will, but I would expect the black nylon will last quite some time. The nylon is pliable enough it will hold w/o the lock washer I think.

Alternatively, you might look at replacing the bolt/nut w/ a expansion stud like used on automotive panels. Might be an issue if the panel must be solidly bolted to avoid vibration noise.

SS obviously is one alternative, of course, agreed...